COVID-19 Outbreak at Woodingford Lodge Declared Over After a False Positive

Monday, 17 August 2020 at 11:01

It turns out the employee at Woodingford Lodge was a false positive and they will start allowing visitors to the long term care home once again.

WOODSTOCK - It turns out they did not have an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock.

Director of Woodingford Lodge Mark Dager says the test result from an employee turned out to be a false positive.

"Woodingford Lodge-Woodstock has been informed by Southwestern Public Health that the COVID-19 test result from August 9 was a false positive, and that subsequent testing has confirmed the employee did not, and does not, have COVID-19. As a result, Woodingford Lodge-Woodstock is again open to admissions and visits. We are relieved that there was no risk to our residents or other employees. We will always act with an abundance of caution to protect those in our care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank the community for its support."

Dager says the employee has already had two negative tests since the first false positive and is still at home as a precaution.

"Our thoughts have been with this person in their journey from the beginning and wishing them well. This individual will have another swab completed this week and with a negative results, which we don't see would not be obtained would then be permitted to return to work based on available shifts and the next date to return. Everything is going well, it is a positive outcome for Woodingford Lodge and a positive outcome for the staff member as well."

Within one hour of the positive test, the home area for residents were shut down and testing was done for staff and residents within 24 hours. They also had to close the building to visitors and Dager says they are excited to welcome visitors once again.

"What it has a shown to us as a whole, as scary as it is, people are willing to look out for the wellbeing, put that fear aside and know what the focus is to make sure that we do things right for the residents and community at large."

You can listen to the full interview with Mark Dager below.